Microsoft has unveiled its latest bid to ramp up the use of mobile technology within businesses, by introducing a product it claims will alleviate many of the headaches that are currently the biggest barriers to adoption.
The new Microsoft System Centre Mobile Device Manager 2008 server, which will enable organisational IT departments to manage Windows-based devices in the same way as they do the rest of their desktop or laptop-based infrastructure, is being launched by the software giant's chief executive Steve Ballmer during his keynote speech at the Cellular Technology Industry Association (CTIA) Wireless IT and Entertainment 2007 event in San Francisco.
"People expect to be able to do more and more with their mobile phone," Ballmer said. "We're building on our expertise across servers, operating systems and services to deliver Windows Mobile experiences that bridge the things people want to do at work and at home."
The new software will be available in the first half of next year and will enable companies to push new applications to users over the air (OTA), connect using mobile virtual private networks (VPNs) to allow critical and sensitive data to be accessed more securely and control functionality using Active Directory.
"[This new product] means we're making Windows Mobile devices a first class citizen in the infrastructure. You can switch off the camera, disable Wi-Fi or control what Bluetooth profile someone has [using it], for example you may want them to be able to use a Bluetooth headset but not be able to send files. You can also black list and white list applications and the IT professional can control what users can do on those devices...," said Jason Langridge, manager of Microsoft's UK mobility business manager.
"There is great opportunity and growth in the mobile space and we're getting to a point in maturity now where organisations don't want to rely on third-party point solutions that are expensive and don't scale very well."
Prices haven't been disclosed as yet but Langridge said businesses can "expect them to be competitive in the market place."
